January 23, 2002
FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SEATTLE EXPLORING SPIRITUAL
THEMES IN A POST-SEPTEMBER 11 WORLD
During the same week that the United States began
bombing Afghanistan, the Damah Film Festival—Spiritual
Experiences in Film made its debut in Seattle. In a
state of heightened alert and new fears, festival attendees
grappled with spiritual-themed films that had an intense,
raw edge. On October 10-12, the 2002 Damah Film Festival—Spiritual
Experiences in Film will return to Seattle Art Museum
for a second season of exploring the spiritual themes
that today dominate the news and the average American
mind.
Last October, filmmakers and viewers from around
the world flocked to the first-time festival, igniting
workshops with searing discussions about the significance
of spiritual themes in film and in life. The festival
attracted more than 800 festival-goers, 243 short film
submissions, and 10 prominent jurors, including Academy
Award winner Bruce Joel Rubin (GHOST), Ralph Winter
(PLANET OF THE APES), Howard Kazanjian (RAIDERS OF
THE LOST ARK and RETURN OF THE JEDI), and Chris Willman
(senior writer for ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY).
The Damah festival is unique among short film festivals
in its edgy spiritual focus. The only required element
for entry: filmmakers must capture “spiritual
experiences” in thirty minutes or less by telling
stories of struggle and redemption, preferably with
unexpected endings. Damah does not limit submissions
by genre or acquisition format; it is friendly to first-time
filmmakers as well as professionals since films are
judged by the power of the story, not technical expertise
in filmmaking.
“Damah” (Duh-MAH) is a Hebrew word which
means “inspirational metaphor”-- a form
of storytelling often seen in ancient literature.
Deadline for submissions is May 15; the submission
fee is $25. Late submissions will be accepted until
July 1 at a cost of $45.
More than $15,000 in prize money will be awarded
at the 2002 Damah Film Festival, and films will be
screened on the festival Web site, www.damah.com.
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